Thunder and storm
1114 Words
For one terrifying second, there was nothing except the rain hammering against the glass.
Ruth's breathing hitched.
A violent clap of thunder cracked overhead.
She gasped and instinctively stepped backwards, her heel catching the edge of the rug.
Before she could lose her balance, a firm hand caught her arm.
"Careful."
Scott's deep voice rang in ear, close enough to cut through the panic rising inside her.
She hadn't realised how badly she was trembling until she felt the warmth of his hand around her elbow.. His cologne filled her nostril.
A few seconds later, the emergency lights flickered to life.
The darkness had lifted but not enough.
Her face had gone pale. Scott released her immediately.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm... fine."
The emergency lights caught the sharp line of his jaw.
Even standing in silence, he had a presence that made the entire lobby feel smaller.
She looked away before he caught her staring.
Without another word, Scott pulled out his phone and made a call.
"What happened?"
"The storm affected the main power supply, sir," came the reply.
"The backup generator is starting."
"How long?"
"Five minutes sir."
He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Ruth folded her arms tightly across herself.
Not because she was cold but because she was trying to stop shaking.
She hated this. She hated thunderstorms but more than that... She hated the darkness.
It reminded her of nights she'd spent waiting, wondering and crying quietly so no one would hear.
Years ago, Caleb used to laugh whenever she clung to him during storms.
Eventually, she'd learned to pretend she wasn't afraid anymore.
Scott studied her quietly.
"Thunder and darkness frightens you."
She looked up and then looked away.
A faint, embarrassed smile touched her lips.
"It sounds childish."
"I didn't say that."
Something about the calm certainty in his voice eased the tightness in her chest.
Her breathing gradually slowed.
Outside, the rain became even heavier.
Scott walked to the glass wall overlooking the road.
Water already covered parts of the street.
Traffic had almost come to a standstill.
He turned back.
"How far do you live?"
She hesitated.
"About an hour."
“You can't go back now.“
She nodded reluctantly.
"But I still have to get back."
"You live alone?" He asked not sure why.
"No."
She almost said more.
Then stopped herself.
"My friend travelled this morning."
Scott noticed the hesitation.
There was clearly more to the story.
But he didn't press. He knew she was married or once married but didn't push further into finding out why they divorced.
Instead, he looked at the storm again.
For some reason...
Watching her stand there pretending to be stronger than she felt stirred an old memory.
Someone else had once done the same thing. Someone who always insisted thunderstorms didn't bother her...
Yet somehow always found an excuse to move a little closer whenever lightning flashed.
His jaw tightened.
The memory surfaced only briefly before he pushed it away.
Footsteps echoed across the lobby.
His driver hurried inside, slightly damp from the rain.
"Good evening, sir."
His eyes shifted politely to Ruth.
"Miss."
Scott nodded.
"Can you get her home?"
The driver glanced outside through the glass.
"I'm afraid not, sir."
"The roads are flooding."
"We may not even make it halfway across the city tonight."
Scott remained silent.
His gaze drifted back to Ruth.
She was standing perfectly still.
Trying not to look frightened or to look stranded.
At that exact moment...
Her stomach growled.
The sound was soft but it was impossible to miss.
Colour rushed to Ruth's cheeks.
She lowered her head in embarrassment.
Scott pretended not to notice.
He looked outside one last time.
Then made his decision.
"You'll stay at my place tonight."
Ruth looked up so quickly she thought she'd heard him wrong.
"...What?"
"My villa is five minutes from here."
"It's closer than your apartment."
"The roads should still be passable."
She stared at him.
For several seconds, she couldn't find her voice.
"I..."
"I can't impose."
"You aren't."
"It's only for tonight."
"When the storm clears tomorrow, my driver will take you wherever you need to go."
She shook her head instinctively.
"I think that would be too much."
Scott's expression remained calm.
"You'll leave in the morning, so it's nothing."
The driver smiled politely.
"I think that's the safest option, Miss Bennett."
Ruth looked from one man to the other.
Then towards the storm raging outside.
She didn't know which frightened her more.
Spending the night under the roof of a billionaire she barely knew or facing the darkness and thunderstorms outside alone.
“Ok then.“
Scott picked up his jacket.
"We're leaving now."
The driver quickly opened one large umbrella.
Scott took it.
He paused near the entrance before looking back.
"Miss Bennett."
She lifted her head.
"Hurry."
"The rain isn't waiting."
Without thinking any longer, Ruth hurried towards him.
She stepped beneath the umbrella.
The space was just large enough for both of them.
Their shoulders were only inches apart.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward, only unfamiliar.
Together, they crossed the rain-soaked parking lot.
Another c***k of thunder split the sky.
Ruth instinctively moved before she realised what she was doing.
She stepped closer to him, her shoulder brushed lightly against his arm.
Heat rushed through her despite the cold rain.
She immediately shifted away.
"Sorry."
Scott looked down at the few inches she'd created between them.
"You'll get soaked."
Without waiting for permission, he pulled her arms closer towards him. His touch made her cheeks heat up. She quickly looked away, wondering what was wrong with her that night.
The driver hurried ahead and opened the rear door.
Scott waited for Ruth to get in first.
Only after she had settled inside did he enter from the opposite side.
Rain had dampened a few loose strands of hair around her face.
She tucked them behind her ear biting her lips without thinking. It was a normal thing but yet Scott found himself watching longer than he should have.
The car pulled away from TC Corporation, disappearing into the rain.
Minutes later...
Tall wrought-iron gates slowly swung open.
Beyond them stood a modern villa, its warm lights glowing against the storm.
Ruth stared through the rain speckled window.
"This is your home?"
Scott followed her gaze.
"For tonight."
His answer was simple. He didn't mention that he rarely came there anymore.
He didn't mention the memories the place held or that bringing anyone here, especially a woman, was something he had never done before.
Even he wasn't entirely sure why he'd made the exception.
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